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StowBlues Returns

Foz doesn’t need any excuse to put his blues hat on but if he did he’d have the best possible excuse this month – it’s time once again for StowBlues.

This month one of Suffolk’s most popular visitor attractions is getting the blues. For one day only, Saturday June 10, the Museum Of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket hosts StowBlues. There have been some tweaks to the format for 2017 so let me tell you all about them.

It’s starting at the later time of 2pm. The main stage runs for six hours and then from 8pm StowBlues moves indoors. There’s also an increase in the admission price this year to cover the ever growing expenses of putting on such a splendid blues extravaganza. Advance tickets are £8 and admission on the day will be £10. That is still a small price to pay for eight hours of wonderful music performed by no fewer than seven great acts. Up until this year all the bands gave their services for free. We did throw in some beer tokens but we weren’t able to pay travelling expenses. This year we’re putting that right but we can only do that by putting admission prices up. Lest not forget the museum is a registered charity so you can rest assured if there is any surplus cash at the end of the evening it will all be ploughed back into the museum coffers.

I will be hosting the event and, as ever, my colleague David Butcher will be recording all six acts gracing the outdoor stage. My very good friend Mike Rushmore has been heavily involved and so too has MEAL’s Visitor Services Manager Patsy Cane : “StowBlues is a fantastic community event with seven brilliant bands who help create the atmosphere that StowBlues has become well known for. With a CAMRA supported real ale bar, the event hosts a selection of ales from brewers from across the region including Calvors, Earl Soham Brewery and Colchester Town Brewery. There will also be a selection of food available throughout the day providing a fun festival atmosphere throughout the afternoon and into the evening.”